Claim to fame:Chosen from among country’s top bartenders to represent Canada in Havana, Cuba, at the Havana Club Rum International Bartending Competition this week.Currently working/performing as a bartender at The Roxy on Granville Street.

Odd jobs:Tended a bar at Fogg’n’ Sudds, worked as a model for Levi’s jeans; in childhood, ran Kool-aid stands.“When I was a kid, I went out and collected mail and re-distributed it, but then my mom told me that was illegal.”

Corporate mogul:Just released the three-video set of Extreme Bartending Video Training series, and has finished writing a Bar Smart guide to bartending, publication pending.

Family ties: One son, 4; remains close to mom.“I’ve got a great mom.We grew up together.She’s the communications manager for Bar Smart.And I have a cool cat, Jazzy.We hang out.”

Look, ma-no hands!:“I’m preparing a routine for the competition.I have to mix four drinks, blindfolded, while breathing fire and throwing bottles that are on fire…I work blindfolded only for competitions, it’s very show-off.It’s not like someone says, I’d like a drink, and I say, “just a minute, I’ll go get my blindfold.”

Brush with fame:“If you want to meet someone famous, you to The Roxy.The Canucks come here, Messier and Gretzky come here.We don’t make a big deal of it, though.”

Jerk alert:“One thing I like about bartending is you can control the atmosphere.If there’s a ‘challenging’ person, you can be confrontational, or you can bring them into your confidence, and say ‘you know what, you have to mellow out.’You gotta give people a break, and the problems go away.”

D’oh!:“One time Pavel Bure came in with a bunch of guys in suits.He ordered a Coors light. It was a packed night, and the song ended…just as I accidentally smashed (the bottle) and it soaked him through in his suit.There was this long silence, so I said, “four seventy-five please.”

And for my first trick:“We make up moves.There’s one we call the Wraparound – you balance (the drink) on your shoulder, it slides down your arm, and then you catch it in your hand.”

Hangin’ ten!:‘I’m a surfer.I lived in Hawaii for a year.I love Vancouver Island, but it blocks the waves.”